Fishing festival hooks a huge crowd

HUNDREDS of avid fishers enjoyed perfect conditions for the annual Hooked on Bellarine festival at Portarlington on Sunday.

The event drew people from all over the state for a day of enjoying Victorian seafood, fishing clinics and time in the outdoors.

As part of National Gone Fishing Day, attendees could get hooked on fishing without requiring a license.

Many young anglers got their first taste of catching a fish, with several snapper in the 50cm and above range caught during a children’s fishing clinic.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive officer Travis Dowling said the VFA was thrilled with the turnout for the event.

“We had feasts of mussels and seafood paella enjoyed by plenty, good snapper caught off the pier and kids and adults alike beginning their fishing journey through our ever-popular clinics.

“Throw in the great work of our education team, Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network leaders, boating trailer reversing clinics, our gear swap and so much more and there really was something for everyone.”

For more information, head to vfa.vic.gov.au